Step-In Apparatus, Counter And Shoe

ABSTRACT

A step-in apparatus and counter for a shoe are provided. The step-in apparatus allows a wearer to easily put on and take off a shoe without bending over, manipulating shoe laces, or using a shoe horn. The step-in apparatus and related counter allow the counter to deform and then return to its original shape without damaging the structural integrity of the counter or the shoe. This controlled deformation allows for ease of foot entry and exit without the need for laces, gores, or external devices such as shoe horns. The present invention is useful for those that lack the physical dexterity to bend over, tie shoe laces, or otherwise put on and take off shoes. In addition, the comfort and ease of use of the present invention makes for a new shoe that has universal appeal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically to a step-in apparatus that provides both deformation and subsequent shape retention of a shoe's counter.

2. Description of Related Art

Many forms of footwear have been developed over the centuries. Sandals may be considered the most basic of all footwear, allowing a user to easily slip them on and off, while providing limited protection for the bottom of the foot. Sandals are easy to take on and off, but may also slip off unintentionally while wearing them. A sandal may come off easily while running, and provides limited protection to one's foot. Shoes, however, contact and firmly retain not only the toes and instep of one's foot, but also the heel. The back portion of a shoe that makes contact with the wearer's heel is called the heel counter, or just counter. The counter provides retention of the heel within the shoe, and prevents the shoe from coming oil while walking or running. While this is important in preventing falls and injuries, the counter also makes placement of the shoe on one's foot cumbersome. Many shoes have laces that must be loosened in order for the foot to slip into the shoe easily, and then must be tightened up and tied before wearing. This procedure takes some time, and may be difficult for those that are impatient, in a hurry, or lack the physical dexterity to tie shoe laces. Children, for example, often lack the dexterity, or sometimes just the patience, to stop and tie their shoes. Many times the shoe laces are loosened up, remain tied, and the wearer simply forces their foot into the shoe, usually crushing the heel counter in the process. Repeated crushing of the heel counter will eventually ruin the shoe, as the counter will no longer have the structural integrity to retain the wearer's heel, and will oftentimes tear or otherwise come apart. Slip on shoes have gained in popularity over the years, and frequently use a gore to allow for expansion of the shoe when worn. A gore is a piece of elastic material placed in the shoe upper to allow the upper to expand to more easily accommodate a wearer's foot. Slip on shoes that have a counter still, however, require care to be taken so that the counter is not crushed and broken down or destroyed. The physical integrity of the counter is important for proper shoe fit and retention. The shoe horn was developed to address the need to protect the heel counter and make a shoe easier to put on. A shoe horn prevents the heel counter from crushing, and thus makes the shoe easier to put on. Use of a shoe horn does, however, add time and complexity to the simple process of putting on a shoe. While useful, many do not bother with the use of a shoe horn, but rather, resort to using their finger or just crushing the counter. There have been various attempts over the years to reinforce the heel counter by adding additional material such as leather or a plastic heel cup. These attempts at strengthening the counter do not make the shoe easier to put on, but may in some cases extend the life of a counter that would otherwise be subject to repeated crushing by the wearer. What is needed is a counter that deforms to allow ease of entry of the foot, and then returns to it's original shape without damaging the structural integrity of the counter or the shoe overall. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a step-in apparatus that attaches to a counter to provide deformation and subsequent shape retention of the counter. It is another object of the present invention to provide a counter that contains a step-in apparatus for deformation and subsequent shape retention of the counter. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide footwear that has a counter containing a step-in apparatus for ease of use.

These and other objects of the present invention are not to be considered comprehensive or exhaustive, but rather, exemplary of objects that may be ascertained after reading this specification with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a step-in apparatus comprising an intrasole plate of a generally planar form, a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate, a counter support insert placed within the counter support, and a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert. The step-in apparatus may be contained within a counter, which may further be contained within a shoe of the present invention.

The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, claims and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a rear plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed;

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a shoe of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with sides;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a counter of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of a counter of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front plan view of a counter of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D of FIG. 22 and further showing insertion of the step-in apparatus;

FIGS. 25A-25E depict a shoe of the present invention being placed on a wearer's foot; and

FIG. 26 depict a shoe of the present invention being removed from a wearers foot.

The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, claims and the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus. As can be appreciated after reviewing this specification and the accompanying drawings, the step-in apparatus 100 is assembled with a shoe or, in some embodiments of the present invention, may be added to a shoe, to provide ease of foot entry and exit without compromising the shoe's counter. The present invention may be considered a step-in apparatus, a counter, as well as a shoe having a step-in apparatus. In some embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus is integral to, and a part of, the shoe or the counter. In other embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus may be attached to, or otherwise affixed to the shoe or the counter. The step-in apparatus 100 has an intrasole plate 101 of a generally planar form. Additional attributes such as sides, varying geometries, and sizes, may be added to accommodate specific footwear and applications, and are considered within the spirit and broad scope of the present invention as described and depicted herein. An example of such an optional feature is the shank hole 103 that is depicted as a square hole for accommodating a shank. The overall shape of the shank hole 103 may vary depending on the shank and the shoe itself, or the shank hole 103 may not be present at all in some embodiments of the present invention. The intrasole plate 101 may be fabricated from a plastic such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials that may be formed into a generally planar structure may also be used. A counter support 105 can be seen in FIG. 1 attached to the intrasole plate 101. The counter support 105 may also be made from a plastic such as for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials may also be used. The counter support 105 is attached to the intrasole plate 101 by techniques such as the use of mechanical fasteners, for example, screws or rivets, adhesives, or the counter support 105 and the intrasole plate 101 may be molded or otherwise formed or machined as one piece. The counter support 105 is generally hollow to accommodate a counter support insert 107 that can be further seen in FIGS. 9-14. The counter support insert 107 may be made from a material similar to that of the counter support 105, or may be of a different material. Examples of materials to be used include plastics such as for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials may also be used. The counter support insert 107 may be made by injection molding, casting, machining, or a combination thereof. As seen in FIG. 1, the counter support insert 107 may, in some embodiments of the present invention, have a conformal line feature 109 that provides comfort and also may provide aesthetic conformance to the lines of a shoe. A detent 111 can also be seen as an angular change in shape of the counter support insert 107 that prevents the counter support insert 107 from traveling too far down into the counter support 105. Other forms of stops or detents may also be used to limit travel of the counter support insert 107 into the counter support 105. As will be depicted and described in further detail later in this specification, the counter support insert 107 pushes against or is otherwise fastened to an elastic element such as a spring, a memory foam, a metal, or the like, to allow the counter support insert 107 to travel down into the counter support 105 when pressure is applied to it, and then return to it's original state once pressure is removed.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus. The planar structure of the intrasole plate 101 can be seen. Various embodiments of the present invention may have different shapes of the intrasole plate 101 to accommodate variations in shoe size, shoe style, shoe function, and the like. As stated previously, the shank hole 103 is depicted as a square hole for accommodating a shank. The overall shape of the shank hole 103 may vary depending on the shank and the shoe itself, or the shank hole 103 may not be present at all in some embodiments of the present invention. Two cut lines are depicted to provide further insight into the exemplary counter support and counter support insert interoperability by way of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus. The counter support insert 107 is seen in the extended position with an arrow to indicate the general direction of travel of the counter support insert 107 with respect to the counter support 105.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the step-in apparatus. In this view, the optional conformal line feature 109 can be seen along with the exemplary detent 111. To assist with proper alignment and range of motion of the counter support insert 107 within the counter support 105, various guiding structures may be employed. For example, a guide and channel arrangement, a guide pin arrangement, a beveled edge arrangement, or the like. By example, and not limitation, the drawings depict a guide and channel arrangement where the guide is located on the inside of the counter support 105 and the channel is located on the counter support insert 107. In some embodiments of the present invention, the channel is located on the inside of the counter support 105 and the guide is located on the counter support insert 107. Other embodiments may employ multiple guide and channel structures, guide pin structures, beveled structures, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the step-in apparatus. Again, the counter support insert 107 is depicted in the extended position where no force has been applied to compress the counter support insert within the counter support 105.

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the step-in apparatus also showing the counter support insert 107 in the extended position.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line A-A of FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the counter support insert 107 has a first pin 701 to assist in guiding the counter support insert 107 into the counter support 105 and also to shorten the length of the first spring 705. The first pin 701 may also have, in some embodiments of the present invention, a first pin spring retention element 703 for retaining one end of the first spring 705. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining the first spring 705 to the first pin 701. The cavity or void in the counter support 105 that accommodates the counter support insert 107 may also have a first spring cavity retention element 707 for retaining the first spring 705 to the counter support 105. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining the first spring 705 to the counter support 105. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawings, there are two pins and two related springs along with associated spring retention elements. Other embodiments of the present invention may have one pin or more than two pins, or may have a guiding structure that does not have pins whatsoever.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line B-B of FIG. 2. Along this cutaway view, the springs cannot be seen as the cut is made through the middle of the counter support 105 and the counter support insert 107.

FIGS. 9-14 depict an example of the counter support insert 107 with two pins. As noted previously, other embodiments of the present invention may have one pin or more than two pins, or may have a guiding structure that does not have pins whatsoever.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the counter support insert 107 of the step-in apparatus. A first pin 701 and a second pin 901 are depicted. There may be one pin or more than two pins, or a guiding structure with no pins whatsoever, in some embodiments of the present invention. Also depicted is a first pin spring retention element 703 and a second pin spring retention element for attaching a spring (not shown) to each pin. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining a spring to each pin. The pins or other guiding structures may be made from the same material as the counter support insert 107 and cast or otherwise formed together with the counter support insert or separate from the counter support insert 107. In some embodiments of the present invention, the pins or other guiding structures may be made from a material different from the counter support insert 107 and mechanically or chemically attached to the counter support insert 107.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the counter support insert 107 of the step-in apparatus. Depicted is an optional conformal line feature 109, as previously described.

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus and FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus clearly showing the first pin 701 and the second pin 901 along with the related first pin spring retention element 703 and the second pin spring retention element 903.

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of the counter support insert 107 of the step-in apparatus and FIG. 14 is a rear plan view of the counter support insert 107 of the step-in apparatus. As seen in FIG. 14, a channel 1401 is clearly visible. The channel 1401 serves to guide the travel of the counter support insert 107 within the counter support 105 by coupling with a guide 1505 in the counter support 105, which can be seen in FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed. The guide 1505 can be seen in the counter support cavity 1503. The guide 1505 and also the associated counter support cavity 1503 may have different geometries or physical attributes in some embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention the intrasole plate 101 may have a geometry that is dependent on the shoe or the shoe application. An optional sizing mark 1501 is depicted where the intrasole plate 101 may be trimmed to a smaller size to accommodate, for example, small shoe sizes or children's shoes.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed, again clearly showing the guide 1505 and the counter support cavity 1503.

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed. The first spring cavity retention element 707 can be seen clearly.

The present invention includes a shoe having a step-in apparatus 100. An example of a shoe having a step-in apparatus 100 is depicted by way of the exploded perspective view of FIG. 18. Assembly of the components of the shoe depicted in FIG. 18 is by way of conventional shoe construction techniques such as adhesives and stitching. A sole 1801 is depicted that may be made from rubber, leather, or a similar material. The step-in apparatus 100 is placed on the sole 1801 and there may optionally be a shank 1803 made of a plastic, a metal, or the like. A midsole 1805 is then placed on the intrasole plate of the step-in apparatus 100 and an upper 1807 is then affixed to the overall assembly and the sole 1801. The upper 1807 may be made from a synthetic or a natural material such as canvas, leather, plastic, or the like. The upper 1807 further has a counter that retains the step-in apparatus 100.

Other geometries may be added to the step-in apparatus. For example, FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with sides 1901.

It should be noted that various counters may be used with the step-in apparatus. A counter of the present invention 2001 is depicted in FIG. 20 in perspective view. The counter 2001 may be made from a soft and shock absorbent material such as a microcellular urethane such as Poron® by Rogers Corporation, or an ethyl vinyl acetate, or the like.

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of a counter 2001 of the present invention. In this view, a void 2101 can be seen where a step-in apparatus may be inserted. FIG. 22 is a front plan view of a counter 2001 of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D of FIG. 22. In this view, the void 2101 can be seen. The void 2101 may be cast along with the counter 2001, or may be machined or otherwise cut. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, multiple layers of like or dissimilar materials may be combined in such a way as to form a suitable void 2101 for receiving a step-in apparatus 100.

FIG. 24 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter 2001 of the present invention taken along line D-D of FIG. 22 and further showing insertion of the step-in apparatus 100. The step-in apparatus 100 is placed in the void 2101 in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 24. Once the step-in apparatus 100 is placed within the void 2101, the overall counter assembly may be incorporated in a shoe. Additionally, and in some embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus 100 may be placed or installed in the shoe after the counter is stitched or otherwise joined to the upper.

Once the step-in apparatus and related counter are fabricated into or otherwise installed in a shoe, use is very straightforward. FIGS. 25A-25E depict a shoe of the present invention being placed on a wearer's foot. As one places their foot, toe first, into the shoe, as seen in FIG. 25A, and then inserts their foot into the shoe as seen in FIG. 25B, a slight downward pressure applied from one's heel onto the counter will compress the step-in apparatus 100 as seen in FIG. 25C. This compression will make entry of the foot into the shoe much easier, as seen in FIG. 25D, and once the wearer's foot is completely in the shoe, the step-in apparatus 100 will return to it's normal (non-compressed) state, and the counter will also return to an upright position. The shoe is now properly placed on the wearer's foot. To easily remove the shoe, as seen in FIG. 26, the counter is depressed along with the step-in apparatus by way of the wearer's other foot or the like, and now the foot may easily be removed from the shoe without obstruction or difficulty. This process can be repeated many times without damaging or deforming the counter or the shoe, and provides a true slip on shoe that is not cumbersome or difficult to use.

It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a step-in apparatus, counter and shoe. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, claims and the attached drawings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A step-in apparatus comprising an intrasole plate of a generally planar form; a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate; a counter support insert placed within the counter support; and a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert.
 2. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressive element is a spring.
 3. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressive element is a memory foam.
 4. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressive element is a metal plate.
 5. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guide operatively connected to an inner surface of the counter support and a channel along the counter support insert such that the channel retains the guide when the counter support insert is placed within the counter support.
 6. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a channel along an inner surface of the counter support and a guide operatively connected to the counter support insert such that the channel retains the guide when the counter support insert is placed within the counter support.
 7. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shank hole in the intrasole plate.
 8. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pin attached to the lower surface of the counter support insert.
 9. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring retention element attached to the pin.
 10. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring retention element within the counter support.
 11. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detent in the counter support insert for limiting insertion travel of the counter support insert within the counter support.
 12. The step-in apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conformal line feature in the counter support insert for improving the comfort of a wearer.
 13. A step-in heel counter comprising: a heel counter capable of conforming to a heel of a wearer; and a void in the heel counter for receiving a step-in apparatus.
 14. The step-in heel counter of claim 13, wherein the heel counter is a microcellular urethane.
 15. The step-in heel counter of claim 13, wherein the heel counter is an ethyl vinyl acetate.
 16. The step-in heel counter of claim 13, further comprising a step-in apparatus placed in the void in the heel counter for receiving a step-in apparatus.
 17. A shoe comprising: an upper having a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion forming a heel counter capable of conforming to a heel of a wearer; a midsole placed below the upper; a step-in apparatus comprising an intrasole plate of a generally planar form, a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate, a counter support insert placed within the counter support, and a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert; the intrasole plate of the step-in apparatus being placed below the midsole and the counter support of the step-in apparatus being placed within the heel counter; and a sole placed below the step-in apparatus and below the insole.
 18. The shoe of claim 17, further comprising a shank hole in the intrasole plate.
 19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the heel counter is a microcellular urethane.
 20. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the heel counter is an ethyl vinyl acetate. 